Workshop Title: Blogs to Write, Discuss, Reflect, and Collaborate (Blogger)

Day: 4

Subject of the Day's Workshop:

To develop knowledge and application of Blogger within the middle school English Language Arts classroom to promote writing, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Prerequisite Knowledge:

1. A basic knowledge of Blogger functions.

Content:

Blogging a is a digital form of written expression. When utilized in the middle school English Language Arts classroom, students can utilize blogging in many ways such as reflective journals, to engage in literary discussions, collaborative activities, portfolios, etc. Why use it? If we want our students to become better writers and creators of products, we need to provide opportunities for them to create and compose posts and responses that demonstrate critical thinking and application of curriculum. This workshop will not only review the functions within Blogger, but will allow participants to engage in activities that demonstrate first hand how blogging can be implemented into the middle school English Language Arts classroom. In addition, participants will be able to create activities and or learning experiences that incorporate blogging in the classroom.

Objectives of the Lesson:

By the end of Day 4, participants will be able to:

1. Possess a larger understanding of the various operations within Blogger.
2. Recognize, understand, and apply various ways that Blogger can be utilized in the middle school English Language Arts classroom.
3. Transform teaching practices through the use of Blogger focusing on examination of how responding through blogs can lead to deeper writing development, collaboration, and critical thinking within the middle school English Language Arts classroom.
4. Create and develop activities that utilize Blogger within the middle school English Language Arts classroom and at home.
5. Engage in self evaluation and workshop evaluation.

Lesson Format:

1. Brief question and answer session to address lingering questions from participants regarding information from Day 3.
2. Facilitator will lead a quick review of various functions within Blogger such as time stamping, RSS, security settings, etc. Participants will interact with demonstration by creating a blog that will be utilized for the workshop.
3. Individual Activity: Participants will respond to facilitator's questions about blogging within their own workshop blogs, but once they have created their own responses, they will respond to at least two of their colleague's answers on another blog.
4. Whole Group Activity: Participants will examine and identify various ways that blogs can be utilized within the middle School English Language Arts classroom.
5. Participants will receive planning time to work on developing classroom blogs. Facilitator will meet with participants individually to answer questions or assist with development.
6. Planning time: Participants will be able to develop and create two blogging activities based upon current classroom topics that will be implemented in the classroom for student use (one of the two activities will require involvement of parent/guardian). Facilitator will be able to meet individually with participants during this time to aid in development or answer questions.
7. Self and Workshop Day Evaluation.

Sample Blog for Individual Activity

Sample Whole Group Activity for Whole Group Collaboration

Additional Materials and How They will be Used:

Blogger Help:
Will be used as an extra resource where participants can access to information and additional tutorials about various functions within Blogger.

Blogging in the Classroom:
Will be used as a supplemental resource to support blogging in the classroom. Participants will be able to link to other articles that discuss blogging in education.

Evaluation:

Please click here to access and complete the self and daily workshop evaluation (Currently not available. Your trainer will activate it during the workshop session).